Apparatus for producing photographs



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INv-l-:NTORA G Pf TER GRn/v 7' JR.

April 9, 1940.

April 9, 1940, G. P. GRANT, JR 2,196,586

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PHOTOGRAPHS Filed March 5, 1937 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 6'. Pf TER GRA/vr Je.

ATTORNEY April 9, 1940 G. P. GRANT, JR

PPRTUS FOR PRODUCING PHOTOGRAPHS Filed March 5, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNvENToR G. PETER GRn/v7 JA.

ATTORNEY April 9 l940- G. P. GRANT, JR 2,196,586

APPARATUS FOR PRUDUCING PHOTOGRAPHS Filed March 5, 1957 5 sheets-sheet 4 April 9, l*940- ci. P. GRANT, JR 2.196.586

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PHOTOGRAPHS Filed March 5, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q INVENTOR ATTORN EY Patented Apr. 9, 1940 .APPABATU S FOB PBODUCIN G PHOTOGRAPHS ,Garnetvleter Grant, Jr., Plandome, N. Y., as-` signor to Grant Photo Corporation, New York,

Application March 5,5193?, Serial No. 129,165

13 Claims.

Thu invention relates to the production of In commercial photography there is a practice of making'several small pictures of s person in 5 different poses on a strip of sensitized paper and selling the pictures to the person who is the subject of the photograph. In order to be practical it is necessary to develop the pictures immediately after the exposures have been made so 1o that the person whose picture is taken may purchase the same. The apparatus of the present invention is particularly adapted for such work but may be used in other elds of photography.

In the past, where mechanical means have i5 been provided to handle the nlm or sensitized paper through the various stages of development, there have been several disadvantages. In particular, the nlm or sensitized paper is brought into contact with the surface of a roller or other handiingmechanism while thelm isinthe developing solution. This contact or friction on the emulsion of the film causes a faster development in the area of contact with' the roller or other mechanism. 'I'his results in an unequal u development of the picture. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is: to provide means for mechanically handling a film or sensitized paper without having the emulsion on the iilm come in contact with any mechanism.

One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus including a camera and a developing mechanism with which a large number of pictures may be rapidly produced and in which a large number of pictures may be produced simultaneously in a continuous cycle. Various machines have been developed in the past for producing one or more small pictures on a strip of illm or paper, but each of these prior machines has had certain distinct disado vantages. The general object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which will be rapid, eiiicient, and which will overcome the disadvantages-of the prior art.

In the past machines have been used in which 5 the operation was substantially entirely automatic. when a breakdown occurred in any part of the mechanism the entire apparatus was rendered useless. One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide an appara- 50 tus which is semi-automatic, and in which the various parts of the mechanism will co-operate to automatically develop a picture, but in which the various parts are independent so that in the event of a breakdown of one part the rest of the so mochanilmmaybeused. Speciilcaiiy.onoob ject of the invention is to provide an automatic developer which will mechanically receive pictures from.l a camera and develop the same, but so constructed that in the event of a breakdown the mechanical and automatic features may be I readily elimlnatedand the apparatus operated by hand.

A further object of the invention is to provide a film receiving device which will receive the film from a camera and support the film during 10 the' lsuccessive stages of development. Another object is to provide mechanical means to deliver the illm holding device to the developer, and automatic means to start the iilm through the developer in proper timing with the rest of the \mechanism. A further object is to provide a single operating mechanism to control the various operations in connection with the developerl to insure proper timing of the various mechanical movements.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic developing apparatus in which the illm will be immersed and then removed from the developing chemicals in a step-by-step process through the several phases of development and finally delivered as a nished picture to the outside of the machine. A further object of the invention is to provide means to controlV the temperature of the developing chemicals and the time for development. A further object of the invention is to provide a booth or enclosure for the entire apparatus with controls on the outside of the booth, such booth being so constructed that in the event of an emergency the operator may enter the booth and carry on the development of the pictures by hand.

The invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as herein illustrated, described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, is illustrated one form of the invention, in which drawings similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of the entire apparatus, with the booth or housing broken away;

,Figure 2 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Figure i, with the booth broken away ;v

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail in side elevation showing the camera operating means and the devices to receive the strips of exposed film;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in rear elevation showing the shutter release operating means:

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail in vertical section, taken approximately on line I-S n; It

Figure 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and showing the film cut-oil means; Figure 6 is a detail in vertical section, taken approximately on line -5 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and showing the transfer of the film to the developer;

Figure '1 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in vertical section. taken approximately on line 1--1 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, showing the main operating cam in side elevation and a portion of the developing tanks in section;

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken approximately on line 8--8 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, showing the operating means in front elevation;

Figure 9 is a vertical section, partly in side elevation and partly broken away, taken approximately on line 9-9 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure is a fragmentary detail in horizontal section, taken approximately on line I-IU oi Figure 9, looking downward, showing the nlm delivery locking mechanism; and,

Figure l1 is a perspective showing the booth which encloses the apparatus and the operating controls on the outside thereof.

The camera operation Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 11, a booth I2 is provided of ordinary structure. The booth I2 is light-proof and a camera I3 is so arranged therein that a subject on the outside of the booth may be photographed. One portion of the booth is arranged to receive the subject to be photographed and is provided with the usual lights I4 which are concealed behind frosted glass I5 to effect a proper diffusion of light. The subject to be photographed is seated on an adjustable stool I5 so as to be in proper alignment with the camera I2.

The camera illustrated is adapted to use direct positive paper instead of the ordinary lm, so that the film may be developed as the iinal picture. A reflecting prism I1 is provided rearwardly of the lens in the camera I3 to eilect a reversal of the image so that the resultant picture will be a true photograph. An ordinary flexible shutter release cable I 8 is provided and is held in position on the camera I3. In the camera I3 is disposed a roll I 9 on which is carried a continuous iilm 25. As best shown in Figure 3, the illm 2n is fed upward between film feeding rolls 2| and thence under the reilecting prism I1 to be exposed.

A handle 22 is provided on the outside of the booth I2 and rocks a shaft 2l to which are connected short and long complementary links 24. The longer link 24 is pivoted to a rockable plate 25 which in turn rocks on the axis of one of the feed rolls 2i. The plate 25 is formed with an extension 28 which carries the shutter release means best shown in Figure 4. The shutter release means comprises a U-shaped member 21 held in slidable relation to an extension 25 by rivets 28 which are movable in slots 29 in the member 21. A pin 30 is carried by the extension 25 and has connected thereto a spring II, the opposite end of which is connected to the lower portion of the member 21. When the handle 22 is turned the links 24 cause the plate 25 to rotate. The upper portion of the member 21 will strike the head of the shutter release I5 and an exposure will be made. Since the extension 25 of the plate 25 moves further than the movement necessary to operate the trip Il, the member 21 will come to rest after moving the trip Il upwardly, and the extension 2l will continue until therivets 25 have reached the limits of the slots 29. When the plate 25 is retracted the spring 2| will return the member 21 to its normal position. The retraction of the plate 25 will be accomplished by spring action on the plate 25 or the links 24 or the shaft 22, or the retraction may be by manual movement of the lever 22.

Adjacent the plate 25 is a ratchet 22 carried by the larger feed roll 2|. Separated from and operated by the plate 25 is a pawl 22. As the handle 22 is operated to make an exposure the pawl 22 will travel on the ratchet 22. When the plate 25 is retracted the pawl 32 will move the ratchet 22 and will cause an unexposed portion or section of lm 20 to be moved by the feed rolls 2I under the prism I1 and the parts are ready for another exposure. A spring-pressed dog 34 is provided to prevent movement of the ratchet 32 in a reverse direction.

Carried by the shorter link 24 is a plate 35 to which is pivoted a spring controlled pawl Il. Adjacent the pawl 25 is disposed a ratchet 21 provided with projecting pins 23 and having a spring controlled dog 23 to prevent improper movement of the ratchet 31. As an exposure is madeI as above described, the pawl 25 will engage the ratchet 21 and move the same one step. As the ratchet 31 rotates, one of .the pins 3l will ride against a lever 4B which is pivoted at 4I. When four exposures have been made the pin 23 will ride past the end of the lever 4l permitting it to rock on its pivot 4I, and a spring pressed clapper 42 will strike a bell 43 to signal to the operator of the camera that four exposures have been made. The teeth on the ratchet 21 may be so arranged that any desired number of exposures can be made before the bell 42 is struck.

When the desired exposures have been made the expose@ film is cut from the roll and is ready to be developed. An operating handle 44 (Figure 1l) is provided to cut the film and is connected `to a rockable shaft 45. Operated by the shaft 45 is a short link 46 to which is pivoted a longer link 41 which in turn is connected to a rockable cam 43 which is pivoted at 4l. A knife 55 is provided to cut the tllm 20 and is best shown in Figure 5. The knife 50 is pivoted at 5I and formed with an extension 52 abutting the edge of the cam 48 so that upon movement of the cam 4l the knife 50 is rocked to the dotted line position shown in Figure 5 to cut the nlm 20 as it passes through a slot 53 in the rear of the camera I2. A spring 54 is provided to return the'knife 50vto its normal position and the film 2l passes over the edge of a support 55 past which the edge of the knife 50 operates to cut the nlm.

Delivery of film to developer As the illm 2li leaves the camera Il through the slot 5I the film is received in a carrying frame designated generally as 55. The film frame 55 comprises a transverse supporting member 51 to which is connected complementary arms 58 having their upper ends 55 bent around the supporting member 51. On the opposite ends of the arms 55 are disposed complementary channel members 50 to receive the strip of film 25. The channel members l0 are perforated by openings 6I to permit drainage of developing chemicals as hereinafter described.

Adjacent to and supported by the base of the camera I3 is a rack 52 formed in any suitable manner and having its outer end supported by a u sition.

When a section of exposed iilm 29 has been moved onto the frame 55 and cut from the roll, the lowermosteframe 55 is ejected from the rack 52. The ejectment is operated by the cam 49 which operates-a link 59. I'he link 59 is formed with a'slot 55 in which ls movable a pin 55 carried bythecam 99. The link isbest showninFlgure 3 and in the position there shown the cam 49 has been partially turned so as to operate the knife 59 but not move the link 54. Normally, the pin 55 restsvin the left-hand end of the slot 55 in the link 5I. As the cam 45 is turned the knife 55 is operated and then the pin 59 engages the right-hand end of the slot 55 and moves the link 55 toward the right-hand of Figure 3.

An offset bellcrank lever 91 is connected to the link 54 at 59 and operates on a pivot 59. The opposite end of the bellcrank 51 is formed with a slot 19 through which isdisposed a pin 1| connectlng with an extension 12 on an ejector plate 19 which operates in a guideway 14 so that the ejector plate 19 abuts the bottom of the film frame 55 in the rack 52. As the parts are moved the lowermost frame 55 in the rack 92 is ejected and the plate 15 supports the remaining frames 55 until the plate is retracted and the stack of frames 55 permitted to drop down so as to present another frame 55 in position to receive a section of nlm 29. When the parts are operated they may be returned to normal position by hand operation of the lever M or the return may be effected by any appropriate spring action.

When the frames 55 are ejected from the rack 52 they are received on a table 15 which is provided with extensions 15 underlying the stack of frames 55, each extension 15 being provided with a lip 11 to prevent a frame 55 from falling out of the mechanism. As a frame 59 is delivered to the table 15 it is in a horizontal position and when free of the rack 52 falls to a vertical position. In Figure 6 the lowermost frame 55 is shown at the beginning of an eiectment and the dotted line position indicates the path of movement taken by the frame 55 until it hangs in a vertical position, being supported by the ends of the crossmember 51 overlaying the edges of the table 15. The table 15 is provided with a central opening bounded by curved walls 19 which are spaced from one another by the width of a frame 55 so that the frame may be slid along the table 15 in an arc to be podtioned for delivery to the developer.

In order to transfer the frame 55 from a point adjacent the ejector to a point adjacent the developer, there is provided an operating handle 19 on the outside of the booth I2 to which is connected a shaft 59'. Operated by the shaft 99 are a pair of complementary bevel gears 5|. the secondary of which is amxed on a rotatable post 92 secured in suitable supports 95. Carried by the post 92 is a horizontal rod 95 extending across the opening in the table 15, the outer end of which is provided with a wheel 95 so that the rod 94 may freely turn with the post 92 as a pivot. Carried by the rod 99 is a gate 95 which is freely rotatable in one direction on the rod 94 but which is prevented from movement in the opposite direction by means of stop pins 9 1 carried by the rod 94.

When the frame 55 comes to rt in a vertical position after being ejected from the rack 92 it will normally have passed freely throughl the gate 99. If it has not passed through the gate 95 the rod 94 may be retracted slightly andthe gate 95 will rise, pass over the frame 55 and fall therebehind. Upon forward movement of the rod 94 by operation of the handle 19 the frame 55 will be slid along the table 15 in an arc until it has traveled approximately 90 and is ready for delivery to the developer.

Since the frames55 must be actually inserted in the developer in time with the automatic oper- .tion of the developer as hereinafter described, an

independent mechanism is provided to insert the frames 59 onto the trackway of the developer. The delivery effected by the mechanical operation of the gate 95 could be made automatic and synchronized with the automatic operation of the developer, but in the present embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein, the two mechanisms are maintained separate. Near the righthand end oi' the table 15 is disposed a delivery lever 99 which is pivoted at 99 to the table 15 and is adapted to operate under the table 15 with the outer end of the lever 59 passing through the path of movement of a frame 56 and contacting the top portion 59 of the frame 55 for the purpose of pushing the same onto the trackway of the developer hereinafter described.

The lever 99 is connected to a link 99 on the top of the table 15 which link 99 is in turn connected to a plate 9| pivoted at 92 to the table 15. The plate 9| has connected thereto a link 93 which in turn is connected to a second plate 94 which is pivoted at 95 and operates a further link 95. The link 95 crosses the ejector mechanism and accordingly is provided with an arched portion 91, as best shown in Figure 9, to permit the passage of the frame 55 thereunder. 'I'he end' of the link 56 is formed as a U-shape 99 andis connectedwith a lever 99 which is pivoted at |99 and which ls adapted to operate simultaneously with the lever 99. The levers 99 and 99 together co-operate to force a frame 59 onto the trackway of the developer hereinafter described. In the position shown in Figure 2 the levers 99 and 99 have just delivered a frame 55 to the developer and upon retraction the ends of the two levers will be out of the line of movement of a frame 56, so that a frame 59 may be delivered by the gate 96 to a point between the levers 99 and 99 and the developer.

The operation of the levers 99 and 99 is automatic and is synchronized with the operation of the developer. It is essential that no frames 55 be deliveredby the rod 99 and gate 96 during the moments when the levers 95-and 99 are in `the operative position shown in Figure 2, because the projecting ends of the levers upon retraction would move the frame in an improper direction toward the ejector mechanism. Accordingly, a control means is provided which is best shown in Figure l0. A detent |9|lls formed in the rotatable post 92 into which detent moves a spring controlled latch |92, which is carried on a pivot |95 above the lever 99. The lever 99 is provided with a pin |94 which operates through a slot and contacts the latch |92. When the lever 99 1s in the retracted position shown in the left-hand dotted lines of Figure 10, the pin |94 moves the latch |92.from the detent |9| to the dotted line position, and the post 02 is free to rotate. As the lever 00 moves to the operative position shown in full lines, the latch |02 engages in the detent I| and locks the post 02.

The operation of the levers 00 and 00 is controlled by the movement of the rockable plate 8|. 'I'he plate 0| is moved by a mechanism controlled and operated by the automatic mechanism of the developer. of the operation may be obtained by first describing the developer and the operation thereof.

The developer As best shown in Figure 1, a table or support |00`is provided on which is disposed a large tank |00. The tank |00 is provided with a drain pipe |01 to which may be removably connected an overflow pipe |08 to maintain a desired water level in the tank |00. Longitudinally of the tank |06 are disposed spacers |00 upon which are set a number of small tanks ||0 to contain the various chemicals used in the several steps of developing a picture. A number of water tanks are provided and one tank is disposed adjacent to each tank ||0. A water supply pipe ||2 lis controlled by an ordinary valve H0. The pipe ||2 is formed with several branches which terminate in outlets ||0, at the ends of the several water tanks The opposite wall of each tank is formed with a recess ||0 to permit the overflow of water into the main tank |00.

With this arrangement a constant iiow ot water may be maintained from the pipe ||2 and discharged through the overflow |00 and drain pipe |01. The tank |00 will iill with water to the top of the overflow |00 and will circulate around the several chemical tanks IIO. In this way the temperature of the chemicals in the tanks |I0 may be controlled. In cold weather where it is not desired to cool the contents of the tanks |I0, the overflow |00 may be removed and the water from the tanks I| will now directly into the drain |01 without circulating around the tanks ||0.

Carried by the edge of the tank |00 is a horizontal angle iron frame ||0. On one side of the frame ||0 is provided a plurality of main vertical supporting posts ||1 and on the opposite side of the frame ||6 are provided complementary supporting posts I I0. All of the mechanism hereinafter described is supported entirely from the frame ||0 which is merely set on the edge of the tank |00 and is not secured thereto. In the event of an emergency the entire automatic developing mechanism may be lifted from the tank |00 and the various tanks ||0 and may be used for hand developing. The frame ||0 and the various supports carried by it are secured to the table 10 and its associated parts by bolts and wing nuts Il! which may be readily removed in the event it is desired to separate the developing mechanism from the other mechanisms.

Carried by one post I |1 is an electric motor |20 which supplies movement to a worm drive |2| of ordinary construction. The worm |2| operates a worm wheel |22.. An auxiliary vertical frame member |23 is provided and is maintained rigid by a cross member near its lower end. The member |20 may rest on the table |00.

A transverse shaft |20 has its ends journaled in the supports I I1 and |20 and is rotated by the worm wheel |22. Carried by the shaft |20 is a cam |20 having one large extended face |21 and It is believed a clearer understanding` a plurality of small projections |20. The operation of the cam |20 causes the film frames 00 to be raised and lowered in the tanks ||0 and as hereinafter described. Onl the cam |20 there is a portion on either side o! the point marked |20 on Figure l where there is no proiectio'n |20. This clear portion is provided so that the mechanism controlled 'by the cam |00 will remain stationary while frames 00 are being fed on by the action of levers 00 and 00. as hereinafter described.

An extension |00 is provided on the post ||1 and a lever |0| is pivoted at |02 to the extension |00. The opposite end of the lever |0| is connected to a twisted link |00, the upper end of which is pivoted to the mid-point of a transverse bar |00. 'I'he front end |00 of the bar |00 is connected to a longitudinal ba-r |00 which is rotatable and the ends of which are Journaled in the two posts ||1. The opposite end of the transverse bar |00 is connected to a U-shaped frame |01 having arms |00 through the center of which passes the bar |00 and to which the arms |00 are connected. A counter-balance |00 is secured to the frame |01 to permit easy movement of the parts, as hereinafter described.

To the end of each arm |00 are connected transverse U-frames |00 by 'means of pivots |0|. The U-frames |00 are provided with depending arms |02 which support a longitudinal trackway |03. The trackway |00, as best shown in Figure 8, comprises a pair of relatively wide strip.. |00, one on either side of a narrow strip |00 so as to leave a space therebetween into which may be received the ends of the supporting member 51 of the frames 00.

As the cam |20 is rotated the large face |21 will ride against the lever |0| and depress the same. The lever III, acting through the link |00 will draw downwardly the transverse bar |30. The bar |00 will carry with lt the frame |01, and the arms |00 will be rotated with the bar |00. As the arms |00 rotate the frames |00 will be raised and the trackway |03 will also be raised. As the cam |20 travels further the parts will return to their positions through gravity and the weight of the trackway |00 and frames |00. The counter-balance weight |39 is not suflicient to prevent the lever |3| from bearing against the cam |20 at all times, After the cam face |21 has passed out of contact with the lever |3| the lever will be moved to a small extent by each projection |20 as it passes. This will effect a vertical agitation of the trackway |03 for the purpose hereinafter described.

As the forward end of the arms |00 move upward to raise the trackway |00, the line of motion will be a slight arc. This will have a tendency to cause a slight swinging motion of the trackway |00 since it is suspended solely by the pivots |0|. To prevent this, vertical guideways (not shown) may be provided in which the trackway |00 or the arms |02 may operate.

In order to advance the frames 00 along the trackway |00 a horizontal Amotion is provided. A vertical pitman |00 is pivoted at |01 to a bracket |00 carried by one post ||1. On the pitman |00, near it lower end, is formed an extension |00 and the lower end is formed with a reduced portion |00. 'I'he pitman |00 has formed therein a longitudinal slot |0| through which is disposed a stud |00 carried by a disc |02 which is operated by the shaft |20.

Extending from each post ||1 is a transverse support |00 having its forward end supported to the post ||5 by a short angle iron |55. A longitudinal bar |55 has its ends |51 bent around the transverse supports |54. Carried by the supports |54 are blocks |55 on either side of the ends |51 so that the bar |55 is free to slide iongitudinally of the apparatus.

A lever |55 is carried on a pivot |55 on one transverse support |54. One end |5| of the lever |55 is bifurcated to receive the reduced end |55 of the pitman |45. The opposite end |52 of the lever |55 is also bifurcated and engages a pin |53 carried on one of the bent ends |51 of the bar |55. Depending from the bar |55 are a plurality of angle members |54 adapted to engage behind the frames 55, to push the same along the trackway |45. The initial angle member |55 is slightly curved, s best shown in Figure '1, so that it may more readily engage a frame 55 if the same is not in proper position.

As the cam rotates, the disc |52 will rotate therewith and the pitman will move back and forth through the action of the stud |53 in the slot I5|. As the cam face |21 engages the lever |3| the trackway |43 will 6e raised to the position shown in Figure 8. At that time the stud |53 will be in the upper part of the slot |5| and further movement will cause the pitman |45 to move to the left from the position shown in Figure '1. 'Ihis'movement will rock the lever and move the bar |55 toward the right. Any frames 55 which are in the trackway |43 will lie in the path of movement of the angle members |54 or the initial angle member |55. Upon movement of the bar |55 the frames 55 will be advanced from a position over one tank ||5 to a position over the succeeding tank As the cam face |21 passes thelever |3| the trackway |43 will again be lowered and the frames 55 immersed in the several tanks. As the cam |25 continues to turn, the pitman |46 will be moved from left to 'right causing the bar |55 toreturn toward the left to its normal posir tion. When the trackway |45 is in the lowered posi\ tion as shown in Figures 1 and 7, the trackway is in alignment with the upper surface of the table 15 so that any frames 55 which are carried by the table 15 may be readily entered onto the trackway |43 by means of the levers 55 and 55. It is necessary that the levers 55 and 55 operate only when the trackway |43 is in alignment with the table 15 and not in motion.` During the time that the plain surface on either side oi' point |25 on the cam |25 is in contactr with the llever |3|, there will be no movement of the trackway |43. It is during this interval that the levers 55 and 55 are operated.

A horizontal pitman |55 is connected by a pivot |51 to the extension |45 on the vertical pitman |45. The horizontal pitman |55 is oiiset at |55 and twisted so that its outer end is in a horizontal plane. The pitman '|55 has formed therein a slot |55. A block |15 is secured to the under face of the pitman h|55 near its outer end. A lever |1| is carried by a pivot |12 in a support |13 carried by the table 15. The lever |1| engages against the block |15 to raise the pitman |55 as described below.

A vertical lever |14 is carried on the pivot |12 and formed with a reduced upper end |15 which is adapted to ente!` the slot |55 in the pitman |55. The lower end |15 of the lever |14 is reduced and disposed in an opening |11 in the rockable plate 5|. Connected to the lever |14 is a spring |15 having its opposite end connected to a post |15 carried by the table 15.

The pitman |55 will reciprocate with the rotation of the disc |52 and the movement of the pitman |45. 'Ihe upper end |15 of the lever |14 will be engaged at the extremity'of the slot |55 and will be moved to the right to the position shown in Figure 9. The lower end |15 of the lever |14 will be moved to the leftl and will move the plate 5| which in turn will move the levers 55 and 55 to the position shown in Figure 2. This action of the levers 55 and 55 will feed a frame 55 onto the trackway |43. y

Since the pitman |55 moves a greater distance than the distance the lever |14 moves, the short lever |1I raises the pitman |55 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 9. As the pitman |55 is moved upward the end |15 of the lever'A |14 is released from the slot |55 and the spring |15 returns the lever |14 to its normal position. This return motion reverses the action of the plate 5| and the parts controlled by it. The levers 55 and 55 are then retracted to a point beyond the curved edges 15 of the table 15 so as to be out of the path oi' movement of frames 55 being delivered by the gate 55. On the return stroke of the pitman |55 the slot |55 will be above the end of the lever |14 and as the short lever |1| moves downward the end |15 of the lever |14 will again enter the slot |55. The lever |1| will come to rest on the support |15 in the full line position of Figure 9. The pitman |55 and the block |15 will continue to the left to the full end of the str oke,` the pitman |55 sliding on the upper end of the lever |1|.

After a frame 55 has passed through the various tanks |I5 and it will be ejected from the trackway |43 by the action of the members |54 and will be deposited in the delivery chute |55. The delivery chute |55 is supported by the righthand posts ||1 and ||5 and communicates with an opening |5| in the booth |2 through which the Aiframes 55 are deposited in a receptacle |52 on the outside of the booth. 'I'he lower end of the delivery chute |55 may be connected to the booth |2, but preferably is carried entirely by the posts ||1 and ||5. The opening |5| is provided with a covering |53 which may be made of fabric or other materials to exclude light from the interior of the booth I2. f

, 'Ihel speed with which the nlm 25 is developed depends to a great extent on the temperature of the chemicals in the tanks ||5 and the temperature of the wash water in the tanks Carried by the booth l2 is a. gauge |54 connected to a thermometer in the developing tanks so as to show the temperature. Where it is desired to change the speed of the developing the speed of the motor |25 is varied by a resistance |55 located on the booth |2.

A curtain |55 is also provided on the booth I2 so that proper lighting may be obtained for the subject to be photographed through the medium of the lights |4 without any outside light being permitted to enter. The booth |2 is also provided with a door (not shown) so that an operator may enter the booth |2. Preferably the door is formed with a curtain adjacent thereto so that an operator may enter the booth |2 without admiting outside light.

Cycle of normal operation When it is desired to make one or more pictures the camera I3 is loaded with a roll oi' iilm 25 which is led from the iilm roll l5 between the feed rolls 2| and under the reiiecting prism |1.

The subject is seated on the stool I8 so as to be in proper alignment with the lens of the camera I3, the lights i4 are lit and the curtain |86 is drawn. The handle 22 is operated to move the links 24 and rock the plate 25 which causes the member 21 to press against the shutter release |8 and make an exposure.

As the plate 25 rocks, the pawl 33 moves along the ratchet 32 and when the parts are returned to their normal position the ratchet 32 is moved, which turns the feed roll 2| and moves the exposed portion of the lm 28 through the slot 53 and presents an unexposed portion of film under the reflecting prism |1. During the course of this operation the pawl 36 has engaged the ratchet 31 and moved the same one step.

As the exposed tllm 28 moves through the slot i3 it is received in the channel member 68 of the lowermost frame 56 in the rack 62. The exposure operation is repeated as often as desired. In the construction shown four exposures are made at which time onepin 38 on the ratchet 31 moves past the end of the lever 48 thereby releasing ,the lever 48 and causing the clapper 42 to strike the bell 43 to indicate that four exposures have been made.

The handle 44 is then operated which moves the links 46 and 41 and the plate 48 on its pivot 49. 'I'he initial motion of the plate 48 causes a cam action on the extension 52 of the knife 58 to cause the knife 58 to cut the film. At this time the plate 48 is in the position shown in Figure 3, the pin 58 having moved from the left to the right-hand end of the slot 85. Further movement of the plate 48 moves the link 64 to the right-hand of Figure 3 and the link 64 moves the bellcrank lever 81, which; forces the ejector plate 13 to push the loaded frame 56 out of the rack 62. As the frame 58 is ejected from the rack 62, the ends of the transverse member 51 engage the extension 16 on the table 15 and the frame 56 falls to a vertical position, supported by the table 15 in the open space between the curved walls 18. As the loaded frame 58 is ejected the next empty frame 58 falls into position to be loaded with a section of exposed illxn 20.

Since the frame 56 has been ejected the exposure operation may be repeated and two or more frames 56 may be accumulated on the table 15 before being delivered to the developer. As each frame 56 is delivered to the table 15 it will pass under the swinging gate 86. If the gate 88 is forward of the frames 56 at the time they are delivered to the table 15, the gate 86, upon retraction, will rock on the rod 84 and fall behind the frames 56 where it will be held from further motion by the stop pins 81. The handle 18 is operated which transmits motion through the shaft and gears 8| to rotate the post 82, which controls the gate 86. The gate 86 will move in an arc sliding the frames 56 along the table 15 to a point adjacent the developer in alignment with the shaft 80. The gate 86 will be returned to normal position either by appropriate spring action or by manual operation oi' the handle 18.

As the disc |52 rotates on the shaft |25 the horizontal pitman |56 will move the lever |14 to move the plate 8| which will move both levers 88 and 93 to engage one or more frames 58 to deliver the same to the trackway |43. If desired, the levers 88 and 99 may be forked at their forward ends so as to provide contact both behind and in advance of the frames 56 to more readily control the travel of the frames 56. When the levers 88 and 88 operate on the frames 55 the levers will be in the position shown in Figure 3. As the levers 88 and 88 move, the latch |82 (Figure 10) will move into the detent |8| in the post 82 and prevent movement of the gate 88. As the lever 88 returns to its normal position the pin |84 on the lever 88 will ride against the latch |82 to remove' the latch from. the detent |81, thereby freeing the post 82 and the gate 88.

When the levers 88 and 88 are operated to deliver the frames 58 to the trackway |43, the trackway |43 is in the lowered position shown in Figures 1 and-7 and a portion of the cam |28 on either side of the point |28 (Figure 7) is in contact with the lever |3|. As the cam |28 continues to turn, the cam face |21 will contact and depress the lever |3| causing the link |33 td" move downward, which causes the longitudinal frame |31 to rock downward on the bar |38, which raises the frames |48 and the trackway |43 to the position shown in Figure 8.

,While the cam face |21 is in contact with the lever |3| the trackway |43 will remain raised and during this period the stud |53 will be in the upper part of the slot |5| of the vertical pitman |48 and will move the pitman from right to left thereby rocking the lever |58 on its pivot |88. The action of the lever |58 will move the bar |58 to the right carrying with it the angle members |64. Since the frames 58 and the trackway |43 in the raised position are in the path of movement of the angle members, the initial angle member |65 will contact the frame 58 and move it along the trackway |43 to a position above the left-hand portion of the rst developer tank ||8.

As the cam face |21 rides past the lever |3|, the weight of the trackway |43 with its associated parts will cause it to move downward and the frame 58 with its section of illm 28 will be immersed in the first tank ||8. 'Ihe counter-weight |38 is such that the trackway |43 may move downward when the cam face |21 rides past the lever |3I. As the cam |28 continuesits motion the several projections |28 will successively contact the lever I3| and cause a small upward movement oi' the trackway |43 and a consequent downward movement as each projection |28 rides past the lever |3|. This ei'i'ects a desired agitation of the frame 58 in the tank ||8.

When the cam face |21 again depresses the lever I 3| and raises the trackway |43, the second angle member |84 will engage the frame 58 and move it to a point over the right-hand portion of the tank ||8 into which it will be immersed again. It will be noted that the tanks ||8 are approximately twice as wide as the wash tanks HI so that each frame 88 will be immersed and held in each tank ||8 twice as against once in the wash water oi' the tanks Of course, if desired, the tanks I|8 and may be dinerently arranged, so that on each movement of the frame 56 in the trackway |43, the film will be immersed in a different On the next cycle of the cam face |21 the frame 56 will be moved to the succeeding tank As the frame 58 is raised for movement from one tank to another any surplus fluid will drain through the openings 8| in the trame 58 and return to the tank of its origin. Since the wash waters in tanks are constantly owing. there is no possibility of small quantities of chemicals from one tank |8 being carried into another developing tank ||8. 'Ihe operation is continued automatically until the frame 58 has passed through all oi the tanks ||8 and the i'lnal tank being a wash water tank I Il. In the mean- 75.'

time, additional frames II will have been delivered to the trackway I while it is inthe lowered position and be advanced-on the trackway |43 when it is' in the raised position.

As the frame Il is raised from the last tank Ill. the film 2l is fully developed. Where direct positive paper is used the picture is completed. The right-hand endv of the trackway Ill is open as is the left-hand end and the last angle member I N pushes the frame II out of the trackway |43 into the delivery chute illl, whence it may be removed to the receptacle |82. The developed film 20 is removed from the frame S6 and the frame 50 is ready to be again placed in the rack 62. When it is desired to adjust the speed of operation because of the temperature of the developing chemicals, the resistance |85 is used to control the speed of the motor |20 which controls the timing of all of the operations. With this arrangement a single operator is sufficient to produce finished pictures as rapidly as the subjects can be posed and the exposures made..

Emergency operation In the event of a breakdown an operator may enter the booth I2 and operate from the inside all of the mechanism or any portion thereof. In

the event the camera mechanism falls out of order it is a simple matter to operate the shutter release i8 by hand and to move the ratchet 32 to feed the nlm 20. In like manner the knife 50 may be operated by hand if desired. From that point onward the mechanical ejector may be used and the automatic developer will continue the rest of the steps.

In the event the diiculty arises in the ejector mechanism the operator may readily remove ihe lowermost loaded frame 56 from the rack 02 by hand and place the frame 5I on the table 15 at a point in front of the levers Il and 09 so that the levers will feed the frame Il to the trackway |43 at the proper time.

In the event of a breakdown in ,the operation of the levers 8B and 99 the pivot Ill may be easily removed from the horizontal pitman |86 and the pitman removed so that the levers B8 and 89 do not operate and the frame or frames 5C may be inserted in the trackway I by hand.

In'the event of a breakdown of the developer mechanism the wing nuts il! may be readily removed. The frame IIB and all of the developer mechanism carried thereby may be readily lifted from the tank |08 and placed somewhere else. It will be noted that the pitman |66 is not connected to either of the levers lli or |14 so that an easy removal of all the parts is possible. The operator may then receive the frames 58 directly from the rack 62 or from the table 'l5 if the gate 86 and its associated parts are in operation. The

operator may then immerse the frames 56 with the nim 20 in the various tanks lill and iii and develop the lm 20 by hand in the well known manner of hand development. When the film 20 is finally developed it may be delivered by hand through the chute |80, and the operation is then completed.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

l. Apparatus for producing pictures comprising, in combination, a camera including means to expose and advance a film, a frame to receive a section of exposed film from the camera, means to place the frame on a developer and a developer comprising developing tanks and a trackway disposed in movable relation to each other and means to move the frame on the trackway through successive stages of development.

2. Apparatus for producing pictures comprising, in combination, a camera including means to expose and advance a film, a frame to receive a section of exposed film from the camera, means to place the frame on a developer and a developer comprising developing tanks, a movable trackway adjacent the tanks, means to move the trackway and meansto advance the frame on the trackway.

3. Apparatus for producing pictures comprising, in combination, a camera including means to expose and advance a film, a frame to receive a section of exposed film from the camera', means to place the frame on a developer and a developer comprising developing tanks, 'a movable trackway adjacent the tanks, means to move the trackway and means to advance the frame on the trackway. the action of the last two mentioned means being synchronized.

4. In an apparatus for `producing pictures inciuding a camera and a developer, a film, holder to receive a section of exposed film, a means to deliver a film holder from the camera to the developer comprising a support for a film holder, a rotatable post, means'operated by the post to engage and move a film holder "on the support, means to rotate the post and a pair of levers to moveV a film holder onto the developer.

5. In aniapparatus for producing pictures including a camera and a developer, a film holder to receive a section of exposed film, a means to deliver a film holder from the camera to the developer comprising a support for a film holder, a rotatable post, means operated by the post to engage and move a film holder on the support, means to rotate the post, a pair of levers to move a film holder onto the developer and means to llock the post against movement when the levers are being operated.

6. Apparatus for producing pictures', comprising, in combination, a camera including means to expose and advance a film, a frame to receive a section of exposed film from the camera, mechanical means to transfer the frame to a developer, auxiliary automatic meansto feed the frame onto the mechanism of the developer, automatic mechanism to carry the frame through successive stages of the development of the film, a motor, a disc operated by the motor and levers operated by the disc to move the frame feeding means and to advance the frame on `the developer, said levers being pivoted to the disc by easily removable bolts so that they may be readily disconnected therefrom.

7. Apparatus for producing pictures comprising, in combination, a camera including means to expose and advance a film, a frame'to receive a section of exposed film from the camera, mechanical means to transfer the frame. to a developer, auxiliary automatic means to feed the frame onto the mechanism of the developer, automatic mechanism to carry the frame through successive stages ofthe development of the film, a motor, a disc operated by the motor and levers operated by the disc to move the frame feeding means and to advance the frame on the developer, said levers being pivoted to the disc by easily removable bolts so that they may be readily disconnected therefrom to permit manual operation of the automatic means or mechanism inthe event of breakdown in the apparatus.

8. Apparatus for producing pictures comprising, in combination, a camera, including means to expose and advance a nlm, a frame fn receive a section of exposed film from the camera, said frame being one of a stack of frames in horizontal position, means to eject the frame from the stack, a support to receive the frame in4 a' vertical position when the frame is ejected: a rockable member to move the frame from adjacent the stack to adjacent a developer and a developer to develop the film in the frame.

9. In an apparatus for producing pictures including a camera and a developer, means to support a section of exposed film, a movable trackway to receive the film supporting means in association with the developer, and means to move the film support onto the trackway comprising a pair of levers operating synchronously with the movable trackway, said levers and trackway being operated from a single disc through the medium of a plurality of levers operated by said disc.

10. In an apparatus for producing pictures including a camera and a developer, means to support a section of exposed film, a movable trackway to receive the film supporting means in association with the developer, and means to move the film support onto the trackway comprlsing a pair of levers normally out oi' the path ot movement of the iilm support and operable to engage the film support to move the same onto the trackway and means to move the levers.

alcance' 11. In an apparatus for producing pictures including a camera and a developer, means to support a section of the exposed nlm. a movable trackway to receive the nlm supporting means in association with the developer, and means to move the nlm support onto the. trackway comprising a pair o! levers normally out of the path of movement o f the film support and operable to engage the film support to move the same onto the trackway in a predetermined time relationship to the movement of the trackway and means to move the levers.

12. Apparatus for producing pictures comprising, in combination, a camera including means to expose and advance a film, a frame to receive a section of exposed nlm from the camera, a developer to receive the frame and nlm, said developer comprising developing tanks and a trackway disposed in movable relation to each other and means to move the frame on the trackway through successive stages of development.

13. Apparatus for producing pictures comprising, in combination, a camera including means to expose and advance a nlm, a frame to receive a section oi' exposed nlm from the camera, means to develop the film. and a developer comprising tanks. a movable trackway adjacent the tanks, means to move the trackway and means to advance the frame on the trackway.

G. PETER GRANT, Jl. 

